The reported fish kill in some municipalities of Batangas, Pangasinan and Tagaytay is so alarming causing it in fact to declare a state of calamity in the areas involved. The continuing devastating phenomenon suffers the livelihood of farmers as probe to the reason behind hundred of tons of fishes dying is being done. In Taal Lake alone, which surrounds the Taal Volcano, over 700 tons of fishes particularly milkfish and tilapia were reported to be floating since Friday, 29 May 2011, in the waters, as devastated fishermen help each other in removing the carcasses from the water.
A government agency said that a sudden change in water temperature surrounding a restive volcano in the Philippines could have brought the kill. The volcano has been showing signs of heightened activity since April of the same year as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised to two its five-tiered alert level. It has in fact recorded in its bulletin 10 volcanic quakes in the past 24 hours and elevated carbon dioxide emissions that could indicate that magma is moving towards its surface. As a result of which, a sudden hazardous steam-driven explosion may occur and high concentration of toxic gases may accumulate. That is the agency’s point of view.
It is said that aside from that, there are a number of other causes that could have brought the occurrence of such catastrophe, foremost of which points to climate change as the leading culprit. This is in fact a normal occurrence in a certain period of time, although many admit that the present devastation is largely worse than the one before this. As the climate changes, oxygen thins that make the fish to die. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) theorized that the summer heat caused so much oxygen to evaporate from the water leaving the fish nothing to breath in a still water. But, other observers do not point solely to the climate change as the reason to the fishkill. Overcrowding of fish pens could also be the reason. Likewise, it was also considered that too much pollutants in our waters could have contributed to it too. Thus, The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) calls for all stakeholders which include ordinary citizens like us to keep our environment clean so that our waters, both inland and coastal will be conducive to aquatic life. We could surely do something as ordinary citizens by not throwing our garbage especially plastic products in the waterways, more so, practice the habit of recycling things to lessen the garbage that we throw away. Imagine how a devastating calamity as big as this could have been prevented with our own lifestyle at home. I hope people will not just watch and go. We should do our share. Likewise, BFAR calls for cage operators to abide with the guidelines set by the bureau as it calls the local government too to implement rigid rules and fisheries ordinances in their province and monitor compliance thereof of fish farmers under their jurisdiction.
On the other hand, government are now ready to assist affected fish farmers as BFAR said it has issued advisories to fish cage operators to harvest their fish stocks immediately and bring them to government fish ports nearby. Cost of cold storage will shouldered by the bureau. It will also provide over 1 million fry fingerlings of milkfish and tilapia to affected farmers particularly in Batangas and Pangasinan once waters in this areas are normalized, specifically the “marginalized” ones, the criteria to be qualified as one are already determined by the bureau. The Secretary of Agriculture, Proceso J. Alcantara also announced that the government will be initially distributing 50 water pumps and aerators to rehabilitate the affected waters of Batangas areas particularly in Taal Lake.
As of this writing, the farmers are hoping that their local government of the area to which they belong and the Philippine’s BFAR will join hands in helping them in coping up with this tragic loss of livelihood especially in this time of year where enrollment period and subsequently the start of classes will commence. Other sectors call for a monetary aid of P5, 000 and/or P10, 000 for each affected farmer. These, aside from what the government is willing to help at the moment.
The fish kill affects all us, the suppliers and the consumers alike as the damage points to both due to natural and man made causes.
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